No need for Linturi to resign over fake fertiliser saga: Gov't spokesperson Mwaura

Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has defended Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi amid the ongoing probe into fake fertiliser distributed in Kenya under the disguise of government-subsidised fertiliser.

Linturi, his Trade Counterpart Rebecca Miano and officials from the National Cereal and Produce Board (NCPB), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are among those whom Senate has summoned to explain why fake fertiliser was distributed in government depots.

Mwaura on Thursday said Linturi is not directly linked to the scandal telling those calling for the minister’s resignation that it is unlikely to succeed.

“That is a long shot. There is no way he is culpable of this, he is not involved. The investigations are ongoing and so far the minister of agriculture is working his level best to deliver,” said Mwaura.

The government spokesperson said an investigation is underway to establish if it is indeed true there is fake fertiliser in circulation.

He said there are chances it could be a scam from people he described as political competitors to sabotage the government’s efforts in distributing subsidised fertiliser to farmers.

According to Mwaura, NCPB was distributing the fertiliser through its depots on an agency basis.

“You can use a government agency like the postal corporation to distribute courier services by contracting it. It’s the same case with Capital Kenya Limited. It is not NCPB itself,” he said.

The government spokesperson said that besides the board, fertiliser has been distributed through agro-vets and other outlets “which might have served as conduits.”

“All fertilisers under the government-subsidised program are sold in clearly labelled bags,” said Mwaura.

The DCI impounded 700 50-kilogram bags of fake fertilizer in Kakamega last month while in Nakuru, detectives seized 560 bags intended for delivery to Molo NCPB stores.

Over 2,650 bags which had already been supplied to farmers have so far been recalled.